Playful Cat Likes To Play (Water) Ball

STEVE DALETribune Media Services

Q: I have one very playful cat. She loves to play ball, even catching it in her paws. She also retrieves. Sometimes, though, she'll catch the ball and drop it into her water bowl, then bring the wet ball back to me. Why does she do this? -- L.F., Homosassa, FL

A: It's terrific that you play fetch with your cat. It sounds like your talented pet is nearly as skilled at fetch as any Labrador. Jennifer LaBaron Michels, of Rochester, N.Y., certified by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, explains, "The cat is taking back its ball to where it always eats, just as outdoor cats return with prey they've caught."

Or it could be your cat also enjoys watching the water ripple, or the splash of the water when the ball drops.

"No matter, it sounds as if you and your cat are having a good time playing, and that's what really matters," LaBaron Michels adds.

Q: My 16-year-old toy poodle mix has a bad, hacking cough; the doctor said the problem could be his trachea. Also, the dog has bad spasms; his hind legs will go out from under him and he yelps in pain. When this happens, we can't touch him until he calms down. The doctor took X-rays, which showed a herniated disc. We've given the dog painkillers and a shot of cortisone, which seems to help a bit. Do you think the doctor is dragging his feet and it's time to find another vet? -- P.T., Cyberspace

A: What's most important is to alleviate your dog's pain. Anyone who's suffered a herniated disc understands the pain involved. And dogs, of course, feel pain just as we do. Dr. Sheldon Rubin, of Chicago, says, "Indeed, it seems like your veterinarian is doing the right thing to use cortisone to reduce inflammation. A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug might also help, but be sure not to use (a NSAID drug) at the same time as the steroid. Your veterinarian may suggest you seeing a veterinary neurologist to determine if surgery is possible. Your dog being 16 might limit the possibilities."

Another option may be stretching exercises or underwater therapy, and seeing a veterinarian who can begin a regiment of physical therapy. Acupuncture is another possibility.

The coughing is likely unrelated to this disc problem, but due to the disc problem, it might really, really hurt when your dog coughs. "If you determine the cause of that cough, first definitely rule out a cardiac problem," says Rubin. "A collapsing trachea is another real possibility, where the cartilage rings in the trachea collapse. Treating the cough, depending on the cause, will also make your dog more comfortable."

Q: I was devastated after I lost my Chiquita in my arms from a heart attack three years ago. I cried like a baby for months. In fact, I still do. My wife and I decided, no more dogs; the hurt was too great. Ten months ago, my daughter decided on a dog for me, a beautiful Shih Tzu. My wife says either neuter him or keep him outside because he urinates everywhere in the house. Will neutering help? -- J.A.D., Las Vegas, NV

A: I'm so sorry to hear about Chiquita. Even going back three years  the pain of such a loss can still feel as if it was yesterday.

Absolutely, neutering certainly will help deal with your dog's hormones, but you'll also have to deal with what by now is an entrenched behavior pattern. Start your dog on house training 101. Take the pup out on a leash consistently to the same place (so that place becomes his 'toilet'). Take some special treats with you (which you use only for house training). When your dog goes potty, reward him immediately with enthusiastic praise and a special treat and followed with play time.

I personally add play time to my house training recipe because so many dogs are smart enough to figure out that after they do their business, they have to go back inside. So, they delay doing their business, and might not do it at all. Even if the play session is as short as 60 seconds, it'll teach your dog that fun happens after potty. Incidentally, if you pair the words "good potty" as your dog is doing his business, you'll eventually teach him to go on command.

If your pup doesn't relieve himself within five minutes, take this loaded weapon back inside. Either crate him (only if he's crate trained) or tether him to you (by attaching the leash to a loop in your pants for a belt). Now, he can't sneak off behind the sofa or run into another room to do his business. When he's set to squat or lift a leg, scoop him up and take him outside.

Meanwhile, keep table scraps to a minimum, feed your dog at consistent times, and put him a schedule to potty. And you must know that keeping your new pup outdoors would be unfair, and in the Las Vegas heat, conceivably inhumane.

Q: We lost a cat suddenly, and the pain is amazing. I mean, I've had pets before that we've put down at a ripe old age. But this cat seemed healthy enough; Buster was only 6 years old. And he lived strictly indoors. He was fine, and then one minute later, he was gone. Worse is trying to explain this sudden death to my children. What happened? What can we do to prevent this from happening again? -- S.C., Charlotte, NC

A: Most cats who die suddenly have a kind of heart condition called feline hypertropic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a thickening of a part of the heart which can cause heart failure or sudden death (as sometimes professional athletes die suddenly of the same sort of heart disease). However, there are other possible explanations for sudden death in cats, including heartworm disease or the fact that the somehow ingested a toxic cleaning product.

Often times HCM is diagnosed by a veterinarian, but not always. The good news is that cats with this problem sometimes go quickly; it happens so fast, they don't know what hit them. The bad news is, your family has no time to mentally prepare for the loss.

I'm so very sorry this happened. In June, 2002, my wife and I lost our cat, Ricky, to HCM. It was diagnosed, so we knew that he could suddenly succumb. And that's what happened, suddenly, as it did with Buster.

As to how to prevent this from happening, HCM does seem to have some genetic predisposition. And now, thanks to the money raised from the fund I initiated to help finance additional research, a gene linked to HCM has been found in Maine Coon cats. So, if you're getting a Maine Coon (or any pedigreed cat), certainly ask about family history. Have your vet carefully listen to any cat's heart.

Also consider contributing to further research though the Winn Feline Foundation, and the Ricky Fund; www.winnfelinehealth.org or call, (732) 528-9797.

You can learn more about HCM on my website: www.stevedalepetworld.com.

Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he will answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207. Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)AOL.com. Include your name, city and state. Listen to Steve Dale's WEEKLY RADIO SHOW, "Pet Central," on Saturdays at www.wgnradio.com; or Steve's syndicated radio shows: "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." Learn more at www.petworldradio.net